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Handle with Care: Guidelines for Safe Storage and Use of Mother's Milk

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Mother’s milk (or pasteurized donor human milk) is the best food you can give your baby.
It is nutritious, safe, and easy for your baby to digest. Doctors recommend exclusive
breastfeeding for six months. In addition to the well known benefits to the baby, including
fewer illnesses, sick visits and hospitalizations, exclusive breastfeeding also reduces
the child’s risk of becoming overweight or obese later in life. The risk of developing
diabetes and certain types of cancers is also reduced for both mothers and babies the
longer you breastfeed. When you need to be away from your baby you can continue
to breastfeed if you have a supply of your properly expressed and stored breastmilk.
Expressed breastmilk must be handled carefully to retain its nutritional value and
natural antibacterial properties which help it to stay fresh longer.